If you're looking for the short answer to when is vp debate 2024, it already happened. The one and only showdown between JD Vance and Tim Walz took place on Tuesday, October 1, 2024.
It was a Tuesday night in early October that honestly felt a bit like a throwback to a different era of politics. No screaming. No constant interruptions. Just two guys from the Midwest sitting in a studio in New York City trying to out-polite each other while simultaneously gutting the other person’s running mate. CBS News hosted the event at their broadcast center in Manhattan. It started right at 9:00 p.m. ET and ran for about 90 minutes.
People expected fireworks. They got a policy seminar.
The Specifics of the October 1st Showdown
The debate wasn't just a random date on the calendar. It was strategically placed after the second presidential debate but before the final stretch of the election.
Norah O’Donnell and Margaret Brennan were the ones in the hot seats as moderators. They didn't have a live audience to deal with, which kept the room quiet—some might say eerie—and focused entirely on the candidates. Unlike the presidential debates where the mics were cut automatically, CBS decided to leave the microphones on for most of the night. They only hit the "mute" button once when things got a little too heated over immigration legalities in Springfield, Ohio.
The candidates stood at lecterns that were closer together than you’d think. Walz was on the right side of your screen; Vance was on the left. They even shook hands. Twice.
What Actually Happened on Stage?
If you missed the live broadcast, you missed a very "Midwestern nice" brawl. JD Vance, the Senator from Ohio, and Tim Walz, the Governor of Minnesota, spent a lot of time agreeing that the other guy’s boss was the problem.
- Foreign Policy: It started heavy. The first question was about a potential preemptive strike by Israel on Iran. Walz stumbled a bit early on—he actually mixed up Israel and Iran in his first response—but he eventually settled into a groove talking about "steady leadership."
- The "Knucklehead" Moment: Walz had to answer for his past comments regarding being in Hong Kong during the Tiananmen Square protests. He admitted he was a "knucklehead" at times and got his dates wrong. It was a rare moment of a politician just saying, "Yeah, I messed that up."
- The "Damning Non-Answer": The most viral moment happened at the very end. Walz asked Vance point-blank if Donald Trump lost the 2020 election. Vance pivoted to talking about censorship. Walz called it a "damning non-answer," and that clip lived on social media for weeks.
Why There Wasn't a Second Debate
Usually, we get more than one of these, or at least people talk about it. In 2024, the calendar was weird. Because the first presidential debate happened so early (way back in June) and the second one in September, the October 1st VP date ended up being the "closer" for the formal debate season.
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There were whispers of a second VP debate, but they never went anywhere. Both campaigns felt they had achieved what they needed to. Vance proved he could be polished and "normal" to suburban voters who were wary of him. Walz proved he could hold his own and lean into his "dad from the Midwest" persona.
Looking Back: Did It Even Matter?
Politicos love to argue about whether VP debates move the needle. Honestly? Usually, they don't. But this one was unique because the polling was so tight.
According to a CBS News snap poll right after the event, viewers were split down the middle. About 42% thought Vance won, while 41% gave it to Walz. That 1% difference is basically a tie in the world of polling. People liked that they actually talked about the border, the economy, and healthcare instead of just name-calling. It was a rare moment of substance in a cycle that was mostly vibes.
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What to do if you want to watch the replay:
- Go to YouTube: CBS News has the full, unedited 90-minute broadcast available for free.
- Read the Transcript: If you’re a nerd for policy, the full text is hosted on various news sites like ABC and the New York Times.
- Check the Fact-Checks: Both sides played a little fast and loose with statistics on the economy and immigration. It's worth looking at the non-partisan breakdowns from sites like PolitiFact to see where the "creative framing" happened.
The 2024 VP debate is in the history books now. It stands as a weirdly civil footnote in one of the most chaotic election years in American history. If you're looking for the next one, you'll have to wait until 2028.